Smoking wrapper/filter combination

ABSTRACT

An improved smoking wrapper/filter combination is provided. The smoking wrapper has an internal filter having an opening channel extending through the entire length of the filter which allows smoke to pass through the filter without obstruction while still providing stability to the smoking wrapper. In an embodiment, the filter is non-porous except for the opening channel. The smoking wrapper may be unbleached and chlorine free. In an embodiment, rice may be utilized in the formation of the smoking wrapper. FDA approved adhesives are used to secure the smoking wrapper to the filter. The smoking wrapper may be thinner than normal smoking wrappers (of cigarettes) and may be similar to rolling paper. In particular, in a preferred embodiment the smoking wrapper is 14 to 16 grams in weight.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

An improved smoking wrapper/filter combination is provided. The smokingwrapper has an internal filter having an opening channel extendingthrough the entire length of the filter which allows smoke to passthrough the filter without obstruction while still providing stabilityto the smoking wrapper. In an embodiment, the filter is non-porousexcept for the opening channel. The smoking wrapper may be unbleachedand chlorine free. In an embodiment, rice may be utilized in theformation of the smoking wrapper. FDA approved adhesives are used tosecure the smoking wrapper to the filter. The smoking wrapper may bethinner than normal smoking wrappers (of cigarettes) and may be similarto rolling paper. In particular, in a preferred embodiment the smokingwrapper is 14 to 16 grams in weight.

Over the years, attempts have been made to provide improved smokingproducts, such as improved cigarette papers. For example, U.S. Pat. No.9,392,818 to Zitturi discloses a cigarette paper for self-extinguishingcigarettes. The cigarette paper comprises bands onto which a materialreducing the diffusion capacity is applied, wherein a band comprises twoband-like outer zones (18 a, 18 b) and a band-like central zone (20)therebetween. The said material is applied substantially over the entiresurface up to the outer zones (18 a, 18 b) of the band (10). Theaforementioned material is additionally applied to at least 70%,preferably at least 75% and/or at most 95%, preferably at most 90% ofthe surface of the central zone (20). The surface (22) to which the saidmaterial is applied is path-connected. The surface of the central zone(20), to which the said material is applied is likewise path-connected.

Further, U.S. Pat. No. 5,730,840 to Hampl discloses a method forimproving the ash characteristics of a paper wrapper for a cigarettearticle and for improving the ash characteristics of the cigarettearticle itself. Specifically, it has been unexpectedly discovered thatthe ash characteristics of a paper wrapper are noticeably improved whena calcium carbonate filler having a median particle size of from about0.15 microns to about 0.5 microns is incorporated into the paper. Paperwrappers made with the calcium carbonate particles of the presentinvention have superior ash characteristics in comparison to paperwrappers incorporating calcium carbonate particles of larger or smallersizes. Further, the ash characteristics of the paper are improvedwithout having to alter total filler levels in the paper.

Still further, U.S. Pat. No. 8,646,463 to Sherwood discloses cigaretteand cigarette paper have a plurality of multilayer bands formed byprinting a highly viscous aqueous film-forming composition. Afterheating the composition to lower its viscosity, the bands are applied tothe cigarette paper by gravure printing the composition. The compositionis quenched and gelatinized by contact with the cool cigarette paperreducing absorption of water by the paper and reducing wrinkling,cockling, and waviness. Multiple gravure printed layers may be used toform the bands.

However, these patents fail to describe a smoking wrapper/filtercombination which utilizes thin rolling paper and allows for rollingpaper to be used in connection with a filter.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An improved smoking wrapper/filter combination is provided. The smokingwrapper has an internal filter having an opening channel extendingthrough the entire length of the filter which allows smoke to passthrough the filter without obstruction while still providing stabilityto the smoking wrapper. In an embodiment, the filter is non-porousexcept for the opening channel. The smoking wrapper may be unbleachedand chlorine free. In an embodiment, rice may be utilized in theformation of the smoking wrapper. FDA approved adhesives are used tosecure the smoking wrapper to the filter. The smoking wrapper may bethinner than normal smoking wrappers (of cigarettes) and may be similarto rolling paper. In particular, in a preferred embodiment the smokingwrapper is 14 to 16 grams in weight.

An advantage of the present smoking wrapper/filter combination is thatthe present smoking wrapper may utilize a pre-rolled smoking wrapper.

Another advantage of the present smoking wrapper/filter combination isthat the present smoking wrapper may be natural and unbleached.

Yet another advantage of the present smoking wrapper/filter combinationis that the present smoking wrapper may be chlorine free.

Still another advantage of the present smoking wrapper/filtercombination is that the present smoking wrapper may be made at leastpartially from rice.

And an advantage of the present smoking wrapper/filter combination isthat the present smoking wrapper may be organic.

Another advantage of the present smoking wrapper/filter combination isthat the present smoking wrapper may have a cellulose acetate filter.

In an embodiment, another advantage of the present smokingwrapper/filter combination is that the present smoking wrapper may bebranded with a company trademark.

Yet another advantage of the present smoking wrapper/filter combinationis that the present device may provide improved taste for smoking.

Still another advantage of the present smoking wrapper/filtercombination is that the present device may have a filter which is solid(non-porous) and only supports the wrapper paper and does not allowsmoke to pass through the filter except for through a main channel.

For a more complete understanding of the above listed features andadvantages of the present smoking wrapper/filter combination referenceshould be made to the detailed description and the drawings. Further,additional features and advantages of the invention are described in,and will be apparent from, the detailed description of the preferredembodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of the back of the smokingwrapper/filter combination.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the front of the smokingwrapper/filter combination.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of the filter by itself.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

An improved smoking wrapper/filter combination is provided. The smokingwrapper has an internal filter having an opening channel extendingthrough the entire length of the filter which allows smoke to passthrough the filter without obstruction while still providing stabilityto the smoking wrapper. In an embodiment, the filter is non-porousexcept for the opening channel. The smoking wrapper may be unbleachedand chlorine free. In an embodiment, rice may be utilized in theformation of the smoking wrapper. FDA approved adhesives are used tosecure the smoking wrapper to the filter. The smoking wrapper may bethinner than normal smoking wrappers (of cigarettes) and may be similarto rolling paper. In particular, in a preferred embodiment the smokingwrapper is 14 to 16 grams in weight.

Referring first to FIGS. 1 and 2, in an embodiment, the smokingwrapper/filter combination 1 may have both wrapper paper 2 and a filter100. The wrapper paper 2 may be generally thin and light weight. In thepreferred embodiment, the wrapper paper 2 weighs approximately 14 to 16grams. In an alternative second and third embodiment, the wrapping paper2 may weight approximately 10 to 14 grams or 16 to 20 grams. Inparticular, the wrapper paper 2 may be substantially thinner than normalcigarette paper. The wrapper paper 2 may be generally cylindrical inshape having a generally hollow interior 3. The wrapper paper 2 may havea first end 4, a second end 5 and a cylindrical side 6. The wrapperpaper 2 may have a length 20 similar to the length of a typicalcigarette.

Referring now to FIG. 3, in an embodiment, the filter 100 may have afirst end 101, a second end 102 and a generally cylindrical side 103. Inan embodiment, the filter 100 may be a cellulose acetate filter whichactually filters the smoke. In an alternative embodiment, the filter 100is completely solid (non-porous) and does not allow any air/smoke topass through the filter 100 (except as noted below). Instead, in thisembodiment, the filter 100 only to supports the wrapper paper 2. In thisembodiment, all the smoke passes through the opening 120 to the personand none is filtered through the filter itself.

The filter 100 may have a diameter 110 which is slightly less than adiameter 10 of the wrapper paper 2 such that the wrapper paper 2 snugglyfits around the filter 100. In an embodiment, the filter 100 may have anopening 120 creating an interior channel 125 which allows smoke to passthrough the smoking wrapper/filter combination 1 unobstructed. In anembodiment, the opening 120 may be star-shaped as pictured in FIG. 3,circular, as pictured in FIG. 1 or any other suitable shape. In anembodiment, an FDA approved adhesive (not shown) may be utilized topermanently secure the filter 100 to the wrapper paper 2. Still further,the filter 100 may provide a buffer so that less wrapper paper 2 isburnt and, therein, the device 1 provides for improved taste during thesmoking process.

Herbs or other flammable smokeable material 200 may be placed within oradded to the generally hollow interior 3 of the wrapper paper 2. Inparticular, the herbs or smokeable material 200 may be added to thewrapper paper 2 by either the end consumer or, in an alternative, duringthe production process by a production company.

Although embodiments of the invention are shown and described therein,it should be understood that various changes and modifications to thepresently preferred embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in theart. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing fromthe spirit and scope of the invention and without diminishing itsattendant advantages.

1) A smoking wrapper/filter combination comprising: a generallycylindrical wrapping paper wherein the generally cylindrical wrappingpaper has a first end, a second end, a cylindrical side and a hollowinterior; a generally cylindrical filter having a first end, a second, agenerally cylindrical side and an interior channel extending from thefirst end of the generally cylindrical filter to the second end of thegenerally cylindrical filter; wherein the filter is located within thehollow interior of the smoking wrapper and located at either the firstend or the second end of the cylindrical wrapping paper; and a centralopening in the filter allowing for smoke to pass through. 2) The smokingwrapper/filter combination of claim 1 wherein the filter is no-porousexcept for the central opening. 3) The smoking wrapper/filtercombination of claim 1 wherein the wrapping paper is made of rice paper.4) The smoking wrapper/filter combination of claim 1 wherein thewrapping paper weighs 14-16 grams. 5) The smoking wrapper/filtercombination of claim 1 wherein the wrapping paper is unbleached. 6) Thesmoking wrapping/filter combination of claim 1 wherein the filter ismade of cellulose acetate. 7) The smoking wrapper/filter combination ofclaim 1 wherein the wrapping paper is chlorine free.